Inaugurated in 2020, the MIFF Schools Youth Jury is a panel of three young filmmakers who deliberate on which title from the MIFF Schools program they deem the best. The jury returns in 2023 and – in partnership with ACMI and the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority – its members were selected from the best and brightest among this year’s Top Screen participants. Han Nhi Ngo, Jasmine Lane and Emile Feik were crowned the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively, at the Top Screen awards ceremony held on 17 March at ACMI.

Born in Melbourne/Naarm, Han Nhi Ngo is an 18-year-old filmmaker of Vietnamese descent. Graduating from Williamstown High School in 2022, she is currently studying a Bachelor of Medical Imaging at Deakin University. Her debut short film Going Home – Về Nhà, which was created for VCE Media Studies, explores the negotiation of culture. Through her work, she continues to navigate the intricacies of identity and growing up.

Jasmine Lane is an RMIT animation student and director of I’m a Background Character. She has a passion for visual storytelling and is pursuing a career in art and 2D animation, drawing a lot of inspiration from the style of manga and anime. One day, she hopes to become an indie animator with the skill to create high-quality projects with full creative control.

Emile Feik is a Melbourne-based film student and emerging filmmaker. He is currently studying film and television at Swinburne University. His short film Earl Dreams of Apples was selected for Top Screen 2023 and the Setting Sun Film Festival.

We look forward to working with these bright young minds for this year’s festival!